Journal article
Characterizing self-reported physical activity before and during a subsequent pregnancy among parents in a familial autism cohort
Autism : the international journal of research and practice, v 29(1), pp 143-154
01 Jan 2025
PMID: 39235189
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Parents of autistic children may have limited time and resources to participate in physical activity, a key aspect of health. Previous studies have been small and included mostly mothers, rather than fathers. No studies have examined physical activity in these parents during another pregnancy, when physical activity is especially important for maternal and fetal health. We aimed to fill this gap by examining physical activity levels among mothers and fathers caring for an autistic child before and during a subsequent pregnancy. We used data from a study which followed pregnant individuals who already had a child with autism. We asked mothers and fathers to report their levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity. We found that mothers and fathers of autistic children reported lower physical activity levels than the national average and were unlikely to meet Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Pregnant mothers were the least likely to participate in physical activity, particularly if their autistic child scored highly on a measure of autistic traits. Given that parental physical activity has benefits for parents and children, family-based interventions may be needed to help support parents' physical activity levels.
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Details
- Title
- Characterizing self-reported physical activity before and during a subsequent pregnancy among parents in a familial autism cohort
- Creators
- Megan G Bragg - Drexel University, USAOlivia Vesey - Drexel UniversityJorge E Chavarro - Harvard UniversityJaime E Hart - Harvard UniversityLoni Philip Tabb - Drexel UniversityMarc G Weisskopf - Harvard UniversityLisa A Croen - Kaiser PermanenteDaniele Fallin - Emory UniversityIrva Hertz-Picciotto - University of California, DavisCraig Newschaffer - The Pennsylvania State University, USARebecca J Schmidt - University of California, DavisHeather Volk - Johns Hopkins UniversityKristen Lyall - Drexel University, A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
- Publication Details
- Autism : the international journal of research and practice, v 29(1), pp 143-154
- Publisher
- Sage
- Number of pages
- 12
- Grant note
- AS5938 / Autism Speaks P30 ES000002 / NIEHS NIH HHS R01 ES032469 / NIEHS NIH HHS R01 ES016443 / NIEHS NIH HHS
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Urban Health Collaborative; Epidemiology and Biostatistics; A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001308022600001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85203375494
- Other Identifier
- 991021902499704721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Psychology, Developmental